Lawrence students take on the DECA world

Four Lawrence High School students, seniors Brooke Kirchner and Amil Virani and sophomores Danielle Hance and Luke Kirchner competed in the DECA international competition in Orlando, Fla. April 29 to May 2.

Brooke and Luke competed in the category of Integrated Marketing Campaign Service. Hance competed in the category of Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling and Virani competed in the category of Financial Consulting.

“This was another great group that made it to this level, said DECA Club advisor Mark Albin. “I am so proud of all the hard work and dedication that each student gave to get to this point. Amil really worked hard and really used all my notes and constructive criticism to his advantage. Danielle making it her first two years is truly special as a Lawrence first and I hope to see her on this level in the next two years as well. We lose one Kirchner to graduation, but hopefully Luke can keep the run going.”

In the 14 years Lawrence High students have taken part in the competitions, Albin said he has gone with 30 different students, several multiple times, making the finals five times and placing fourth in the world twice. At this year’s global contest and conference, Albin said there were a record 22,000 people

DECA was founded in 1946 and originally known as the Distributive Education Clubs of America, the nonprofit Reston, Va.-based group aims to prepare high school and college students — budding leaders and entrepreneurs — for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.